Identifying the Sources of Degraded Speech-in-Noise Understanding and Individualized Therapeutic Options
Abstract
Even among young normal hearing people, there is great variation in the ability to understand speech in noisy real-world settings. Indeed, about 1 in 10 adults who complain of difficulty communicating in noisy environments have normal hearing thresholds. However, current audiology practice does not have the methods to diagnose and treat this population because of the uncertain etiology of this disorder. The goal of this proposal is to develop test batteries that quantify variations in communication ability in noisy social settings that may identify the origin of the problem. There are likely to be several neural pathways that are related to this variability. Speech-in-noise performance may be related to poor encoding of spectral and temporal features at the auditory periphery. The central processing of neural signals may also be degraded in listeners with communicative problems in real-world settings. This project will identify the peripheral and central factors that predict the variance of speech-in-noise understanding ability among listeners with normal hearing thresholds. To achieve this goal, in Aim 1, neural substrates of all the key stages along the proposed speech-in-noise processing model will be characterized through within-subject design experiments of human electrophysiology. In Aim 2, a correlational study, we will characterize a hierarchical regression model that adopts the measures of peripheral encoding, auditory grouping, and selective attention processes as independent variables, cortical responses during speech unmasking as a mediator, and electrophysiological responses and behavioral performance during phonological and lexical processing as dependent variables. Finally, Aim 3 will seek an optimal, clinically applicable set of test batteries and measures that identifies (1) the sources of degraded speech-in-noise understanding and (2) the most effective, individualized therapeutic options. This study will characterize several key neural processes required for successful speech understanding in social settings and will promote our understanding of how peripheral and central processing deteriorates in listeners with degraded ability. This work will lead to the development of clinical tests to identify specific hearing deficits that are currently undiagnosed, and may also raise awareness of such hidden hearing deficits. Once specific targets are identified, it may be possible to develop targeted interventions such as neurofeedback training of cortical networks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 19, 2019
- Source ID
- W81XWH1910637
Entities
People
- Inyong Choi
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Iowa